Chapter 34

Sunday came too quick. Messiah was in Javier's car trying not to show how nervous he was, but his leg kept bouncing.

"We don't gotta stay long," Javier said, his hand finding Messiah's thigh. "Just eat and dip if you want."

Before Messiah could answer, they pulled up to the house. It wasn't huge but it felt warm somehow, flowers in the front yard and music playing inside.

"You ready?"

Messiah nodded but didn't move. Javier leaned over to kiss him quick.

"I got you chiquito."

Inside smelled like good food and spices. Javier's mom came out the kitchen quick, wiping her hands on her apron.

"Messiah! Finally I get to meet you." She had Javier's smile, warm and real. "You hungry? Come eat, you too skinny."

"Mama don't do too much," Javier said, but his hand stayed steady on Messiah's lower back.

"Hush, let me feed my boy's boyfriend." She was already heading back to the kitchen. "Sit, sit. Food almost ready."

Messiah let Javier guide him to the table, still tense but something about his mama's energy made it hard to stay nervous.

"See? Not so bad," Javier said low, pulling him close for a second.

His mama came back with plates full of food, talking the whole time about how Javier told her Messiah played soccer, how she used to watch Javier play as a kid.

"He was terrible," she laughed. "No coordination."

"Mama really?" But Javier was grinning, happy seeing Messiah actually relax a little.

The food was good as hell. Messiah found himself getting seconds when Javier's mama insisted, something about her reminded him of how moms was supposed to be.

"You coming back next Sunday?" she asked when they was getting ready to leave. "I'm making Javi's favorite."

Messiah looked at Javier who just smiled soft. "Yeah, I'll come back."

She hugged him before they left and Messiah tensed for a second before letting himself hug back. In the car, Javier pulled him close over the console.

"You good?"

"Yeah." Messiah actually meant it. "Your mama nice."

"She loves you already. Told you she would."

Later at Javier's place, they was laid up in bed when Messiah spoke quiet.

"Thank you."

"For what baby?"

"Just... everything." Messiah pressed closer. "For being patient with me."

Javier just held him tighter, knowing what it took for Messiah to trust him with family stuff. They fell asleep like that, Messiah finally feeling like maybe family wasn't always something to fear.